US Pledges Support in Combating Drug Trafficking in Pacific Islands

The United States has expressed its commitment to assist in the fight against illegal drug trafficking in the Pacific Islands, a crucial hub for the drug trade between China and the US.

Concerns Over Drug Trafficking Networks

In a recent announcement, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell revealed that criminals are increasingly using the Pacific Islands as transit points for illicit drugs. Speaking at the official opening of the US embassy in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Campbell expressed concerns over the growing networks in China and South East Asia using the Pacific for drug transshipment to Latin America and the US. He noted that many Pacific partners are keen to collaborate with the US to tackle this issue. This announcement comes against the backdrop of a devastating opioid crisis leading to tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually in the US. Chinese firms have been criticized for their involvement in the global fentanyl supply chain. Additionally, island nations such as Fiji and Tonga have reported an increase in meth seizures this year.

Upcoming Announcement on Law Enforcement

Campbell also disclosed that an announcement regarding law enforcement and drugs in the Pacific is expected next week. He suggested that the US could provide assistance in areas like drug interdiction, treatment, and prevention. Following his meeting with leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, Campbell visited Vanuatu. He reported that the Solomon Islands, which had previously entered into a security pact with China, is now eager to re-engage with the US.

Cooperation with China in the Pacific

Campbell also met with China’s Pacific envoy Qian Bo in Tonga. They discussed potential areas of cooperation in the Pacific, such as a climate change project, which regional leaders have welcomed. Campbell mentioned that the US is striving to provide financing for small businesses to boost tourism, hospital infrastructure, and telecoms links in Vanuatu, thus offering Pacific Island countries a choice of partners.

Illicit Drug Trafficking and China's Role

In similar discussions, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan addressed issues of drug trafficking to the US during meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. China is a major source of fentanyl and fentanyl-related drugs, which are the leading cause of overdose deaths in the US. In 2019, Beijing added fentanyl-related substances to its list of controlled substances, a move that was praised by former President Donald Trump. However, he later stated that Xi had failed to keep his promise to stem the flow of the drugs.

Concerns Over China's Involvement in Drug Trafficking

In August 2022, Beijing halted talks with Washington on several issues, including counternarcotics, following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Although discussions resumed in January this year, the interruption raised concerns about China's willingness to use the issue as leverage during tensions in the Taiwan Strait. A report by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in April this year suggested that the Chinese regime was directly subsidizing the manufacturing and export of illicit fentanyl materials and other synthetic narcotics. The report also claimed that the regime was providing financial incentives to companies involved in drug trafficking, and was obstructing US law enforcement investigations into these manufacturers.

Bottom Line

The United States' commitment to combating drug trafficking in the Pacific Islands is a significant step in addressing the global drug trade. The involvement of China in the drug trade, particularly the production and distribution of fentanyl, remains a major concern. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share this article with your friends. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.